John Henry LEWIS

1830-1929

LEWIS, John Henry, a Representative from Illinois; born near Ithaca, Tompkins County, N.Y., July 21, 1830; moved to Illinois in 1836 with his parents, who settled on a farm in Fulton County, near Ellisville; attended the rural schools; moved to Knox County, Ill., in 1847 and engaged in agricultural pursuits near Knoxville; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1860 and commenced practice in Knoxville, Ill.; clerk of the circuit court of Knox County 1860-1864; member of the State house of representatives in 1874 and 1875; elected as a Republican to the Forty-seventh Congress (March 4, 1881-March 3, 1883); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1882 to the Forty-eighth Congress; resumed the practice of law before retiring in 1900; died in Knoxville, Ill., on January 6, 1929; interment in Knoxville Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present